Resolution No. 2022-25 Relating to Transportation Benefit District Fee Increase - Approved 102522Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-25
A RESOLUTION of the City of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, approving an increase of the vehicle license fee
from $30 to $40, as allowed under RCW 36.73.065.
WHEREAS, on August 22, 2012, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2012-
14, establishing the Bainbridge Island Transportation Benefit District (“BITBD”); and
WHEREAS, RCW 36.73.065 authorizes the BITBD to impose, by majority vote
of the district’s governing board (i.e., currently, the City Council), a fee of up to $40.00 if
a $20.00 vehicle fee has been imposed for at least twenty-four (24) months; and
WHEREAS, RCW 36.73.065 authorizes the BITBD to impose, by majority vote
of the district’s governing board (i.e., currently, the City Council), a fee of up to $50.00 if
a $40.00 vehicle fee has been imposed for at least twenty-four (24) months; and
WHEREAS, on January 9, 2013, the BITBD adopted Resolution No. 2013-01,
establishing a $20.00 vehicle license fee in accordance with RCW 36.73.065; and
WHEREAS, on December 1, 2015, the City Council adopted Ordinance No.
2015-31, assuming the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the BITBD in
accordance with Chapter 36.74 RCW; and
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No.
2019-08, increasing the vehicle license fee from $20.00 to $30.00 and specifying that the
amount of $30.00 was established to be administered by the Washington State
Department of Licensing on qualifying vehicles as set forth in RCW 82.80.140 and
Chapters 36.73 and 46.17 RCW; and
WHEREAS, Section 4 of Resolution No. 2019-08 specified that the $30.00 fee
would remain in effect until January 22, 2023; and
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2019, the City Council also adopted a different
resolution, Resolution No. 2019-06, which, among other topics, specified how revenue
from the increase of the vehicle license fee from $20.00 to $30.00, as allowed under
RCW 36.73.065, would only be used for projects and programs specific to traffic calming
and climate change mitigation; and
WHEREAS, on May 24, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-19
to maintain the $30.00 license fee indefinitely and eliminate the additional spending
restrictions that were imposed by Resolution No. 2019-06; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be in the best interest of the City to
increase the vehicle fee from the current amount of $30.00 to $40.00, and to dedicate the
revenue from the additional $10.00 to sustainable transportation; and
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WHEREAS, in accordance with RCW 82.80.140(4), the new vehicle license fee
may not be collected until six months after approval of the increase by the City Council;
and
WHEREAS, all revenue from the City’s vehicle license fee is deposited in the
City’s Transportation Benefit Fund.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. In accordance with RCW 36.73.065, the annual vehicle license fee
shall increase from $30.00 to $40.00 and shall continue to be collected and administered
by the Washington State Department of Licensing on qualifying vehicles as set forth in
RCW 82.80.140 and Chapters 36.73 and 46.17 RCW. The fee amount of $40.00 shall
continue in full force and effect until it is changed or eliminated by City Council action.
Section 2. The vehicle license fee of $40.00 shall take effect for notices mailed in
2023 for vehicle license renewals due as soon thereafter as the Washington State
Department of Licensing is reasonably able to incorporate collection of the $40.00 fee;
provided that, in accordance with RCW 82.80.140(4), vehicle license fees will not be
collected sooner than six months after the passage of this resolution.
Section 3. The revenues received from the $40.00 license fee shall be expended
for any purpose allowable by state law; provided that the revenues received from the
additional $10.00 that is being implemented by this resolution shall be dedicated to
sustainable transportation.
Section 4. Severability. If any one or more sections, subsections, or sentences of
this resolution are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portion of this resolution and the same shall remain in full force
and effect.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its
passage.
PASSED by the City Council this 25th day of October, 2022.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 25th day of October, 2022.
By:
Joe Deets, Mayor
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ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
By:
Christine Brown, City Clerk, MMC
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: October 20, 2022
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: October 25, 2022
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-25